SLN bans night use of Jaffna, Islet jetties

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 January 2006, 03:13 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has strengthened security and banned the use of fishing jetties, small harbors in Jaffna peninsula and in Jaffna islets during night hours, civil society sources in Jaffna said. Civilian movement near Mavalithurai jetty, in Delft (Nedunthivu) islet off Jaffna coast, regularly used by passenger boats, and jetties off Gurunagar coastal areas have been strictly prohibited duirng nights, the SLN's directives said.

Navy command has instructed fishermen to leave the coasts for fishing in deep sea before 6 p.m. and to return back to shores after 6 a.m., burdening the fishermen with additional fuel costs, and increased physical fatigue.

Meanwhile, sources in Jaffna said, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers have been strengthening sentries and bunkers throughout the Jaffna district during the last few days.

Construction materials have been seen transported from Palaly military base to Ariyalaia east areas in Jaffna to build new bunkers and sentries, sources added.